Two finalists were interviewed by the Widefield School District 3 Board of Education to become its next superintendent during a special meeting Wednesday evening.

The district’s current assistant superintendent, Kirk Vsetecka, and current executive director of secondary student learning Aaron Hoffman were each given 30 minutes to answer a set of questions prepared and asked by board members.

Both finalists have extensive history working within the district. Hoffman has worked within the district for more than 30 years as a math teacher, principal and assistant principal before assuming his current position. Vsetecka has also worked as a teacher and administrator in D-3 since 1993.

As current administrative employees, both extensively touted the current strengths of the district that included their allocation of limited state and federal funding, student body and school program diversity and engagement with students, staff and the community.  

It’s where they would take the district going forward, upon accepting the position, that they differed.

Vsetecka pointed out student test scores and teacher development as specific areas he would aim to improve.

Although not unique to their district in Colorado Springs, declining student enrollment was another area that he said he would address in D-3.

Colorado Springs area mirrors public school trend of declining enrollment

“One thousand, five hundred students in this district every year choose to go to school outside the district,” he said. “That’s $15 million (we’re losing) every year.”

Instead of answering each question individually, Vsetecka presented the board a strategic plan for the district to provide a general look at improving the district. Improvements included increasing collaboration across departments, more professional learning committees and improving elementary and special education.

The plan would also use existing committees and policies in place to inform the board and groups of any financial changes, whether or not a bond or mil levy is proposed going forward.

“Quite frankly, you have to earn respect,” Vsetecka said regarding public support of a bond or mil levy.

Hoffman emphasized continually improving systems already in place rather than implementing new systems into the district. He referred to previous challenges the district encountered following the implementation of full-day kindergarten, moving sixth graders from the elementary to junior high schools, and the Raptor security system.

Despite the good intentions that got them all approved, he said they served as examples of remaining mindful to see if their purposes are being met.

“We have to have the foresight to continually look back … and see if these programs are still standing up.”

Superintendents share what makes their districts special

Hoffman also mentioned increasing communication to district staff and parents regarding administrative decisions as a way of gaining and building community trust going forward. 

In addition to increasing efforts to improve teacher recruitment, he also expressed a desire to provide administrative training to current staff.

“Our focus should be on growing people and potential within our district,” he said.

Superintendent Kevin Duren announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2023-24 school year. 

The special meeting was open to the public, but no comments were allowed. After the interviews, the board went into a private, executive session to discuss the candidates.

“This is about as quiet as this group will ever be,” board member Kelly Cutcher noted of the public in attendance.

Widefield School District 3 board members face crowd calling for resignations

A final decision is expected to be made at the board’s next regular meeting on March 21.